ECOWAS Court Awards $50,000 to Ex-Commissioner Darma

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has awarded $50,000 in general damages to former Commissioner for Internal Services Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma after ruling that his removal and replacement before the expiration of his tenure were unlawful.

The court also ordered the payment of his outstanding salaries, allowances and other accrued financial entitlements from the date his tenure was unlawfully terminated until its expiration, less any sums already received. The ECOWAS Commission was further ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings.

Darma disclosed the judgement to journalists on Friday, October 23, following the court’s decision delivered on October 7, 2026, in his suit against the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Council of Ministers.

According to Darma’s account of the judgment, the dispute arose after a memorandum dated October 30, 2025, withdrew his delegated authority, made adverse allegations about his conduct and performance, and initiated steps towards his replacement.

He subsequently approached the ECOWAS Court on November 3, 2025, challenging the actions. While the case was pending, Nigeria recalled him and nominated a successor.

Darma said the court held that he had not been given prior notice or an effective opportunity to respond to the allegations before the actions affecting his position were taken.

The court also reportedly clarified that the President of the ECOWAS Commission could not use managerial authority to transfer or extinguish responsibilities assigned by Community law to another statutory office. It further held that Nigeria’s recall of Darma did not, by itself, terminate his appointment after he had been appointed to the regional office.

Although the court found the removal and replacement unlawful, it did not order his reinstatement because his four-year tenure, which began on July 16, 2022, had expired on August 31, 2026.

Darma described the outcome as a victory for due process, institutional accountability and the rule of law. He called on ECOWAS institutions to comply with the judgment and review relevant procedures to prevent similar disputes.

The decision places renewed emphasis on the legal safeguards governing the removal of statutory officeholders and the obligation of regional institutions to comply with established procedures.